This short YouTube video shows the sculpture being moved into place – it’s pretty interesting to see what was involved. Imagine this sculpture broken down into pieces, letters into parts… I’m amazed at just how large the LOVE sculpture actually is!

Did you know LOVE with the tilted O was originally designed as a Christmas card for MoMA in 1964? But the iconography itself first appeared in a series of poems Indiana wrote in 1958 where he stacked LO and VE on top of one another… the O of course was not tilted then.

It sold more than 300 million copies and was, for many years, the best-selling commemorative stamp in history! Lots to love about this stamp, but seriously, 8 cents for a postage stamp – what’s not to LOVE about that?!

And did you know the LOVE sculpture has been recreated in multiple versions that can be found on display all around the world?

According to Mental Floss Blog, even thought Indiana’s LOVE spread, his name didn’t, and he had little financial gain. Indiana hadn’t wanted to disrupt his initial design with his signature or a copyright notice, which meant he had no legal protection against imitators. This resulted in his image being replicated (stolen) in countless ways. Indiana eventually copyrighted some variants of his creation, but by that time it was too late to file suit against the flood of false LOVEs on the market.

Robert Indiana has an interesting history, more than I can do justice in a recap here, but it’s worth it to read up on him. I thought Megan Wilde’s article in Mental Floss Blog was very informative. And for more on Robert Indiana you might want to check out Ro Gallery here.

Comments

This was so interesting Sheila. I hadn’t thought of where this LOVE sculpture ever came from. It really is everywhere! It’s really a shame that Robert didn’t get his true credit for this beautiful design.

this post Sheila. I’m familiar with this love but I thought it was only in New York. I’ve never seen the one in Vancouver. Is it still there? Crappy about the copyright stuff …… off to read more about RO Gallery. Thanks for sharing!!

No worries, Tracey. I think there was something weird going on because your last 3 comments ended up in my spam folder – and you’ve never landed there before. You’re not the only one, so who knows what tricks cyberspace, Google, whatever is up to right now?!. I’m keeping an eye on it… and thank you for the Valentine’s wishes – I hope your day was awesome, too!

Interesting article! I think my favorite LOVE sculpture placement is at the fountain in “The Love Park” in Philadelphia. I would call it the “Fountain of Love”, but I guess that’s been done:) Thanks for sharing your LOVE Sheila!

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I'm Sheila, a decorating enthusiast with a focus on making over, fixing up, and using what you have. Here you'll find a collection of DIY projects from thrifted to the odd roadside find. You'll also find me keeping up with Audrey Would!, my online vintage boutique specializing in classic Mid-Century and Art Deco cocktail ware and entertainment pieces.
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